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Is a heat pump worth the money to add to my new system (in Cleveland Oh)?

For those who have been following my posts, you've noticed that I've been a sticky decision situation. I have a gas co. run program paying for a 90+ furnace, but single a stage generic like ducane or concord, and a contractor willing to work for cheap. And I was going to kick in the extra bucks for a/c, humidifier etc.

So, all along I've been deliberating dumping the programs dollars, biting the bullet and paying for my own quality system and install/er.

Well the good news is that it seems I may have been succesful in steering the guys that administer the program (who have actually been pretty nice folks) to go with a quality Trane contractor. (I probably would be just as pleased with Rheem/Ruud, Carrier/Bryant, or even Lennox, but as it stands, if things work out, I'm pretty happy).

Now this Trane dealer is really encouraging me to consider going with a heat pump rather than a regular condensor. It brings a $1800-2000 additional price tag, but he says it will pay for itself in 2-3 winters at most.

Is a heat pump worth it?...is this accurate?...doesn't it add wear and tear on the condesor and evap coil?...does it really heat so much more efficiently??? what's the heap pump hype/story? etc.

And please give me a small lesson about what the idea behind 2 stage is anyway? is it that the system will stay on longer at a slightly ramped down rate, in order to keep positive heat flow without becoming too hot and cycling off? Putting heating costs aside, (We're from Miami and we want to be warm) will single stage at 100% will give me more heating, or will a 2 stage? ...especially considering that if 2 stage is mostly only going to use stage 1 and only kick on stage 2 sometimes then wouldn't it be better to have it all on at 100% like in single stage??? (or did I already answer this for myself in the first half of this paragraph?).
thanks,
yitzi

I live in NJ and Heat pumps arent too popular here. I've been in buisness for myself for 11 years now. I've installed as many heat pumps in the past month as I have in 11 years. It seems as though people are looking more to heat pumps as an alternative to expensive gas and oil systems. I have been installing the carrier infinity heat pumps and I am just blown away with the performance of these systems. If anyone is considering a heat pump, I would highly recommend looking at the carrier infinity system. You will be amazed at what it can do. Intalling them is so simple...just hook up four wires and it does the rest...amazing!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by yitzi
[B]Is a heat pump worth the money to add to my new system (in Cleveland Oh)?
"Now this Trane dealer is really encouraging me to consider going with a heat pump rather than a regular condensor. It brings a $1800-2000 additional price tag, but he says it will pay for itself in 2-3 winters at most."

Ask the dealer if he will quarantee that!!!!
Truely, don't expect that it will. 2000.00 divided by 7 months per year for three years = $95.00 per month savings.
Boy, you would have to have one large heating bill to save $95 every month.

"Is a heat pump worth it?...is this accurate?...doesn't it add wear and tear on the condesor and evap coil?...does it really heat so much more efficiently??? what's the heap pump hype/story? etc."

In my opinion, the heat pump will save money when the outside temp is above 35-40 degrees 'f'. Below that, it won't save much. It has more parts than an a/c unit - generally creating more repair bills and HP's generally won't last as long as an a/c unit.

Thanks Gents! And drinks are "after" the lesson,(I've got Beefeater, Bacardi, and Jack).

A follow up ques, if I may...My house is currently 1600-1700sf, counting floors 1 & 2 only, I intend to finish the basement, walk-in attice (big enough for 2 avg bdrms) and the screened porch, which will bring the total sf to as much as about 3000sf. The Trane man says that Trane doesn't make a 90k/btu only 80 and 100. He wants to put in the 80 and insists it will not only do the job, but even after all the additions (whenever they come) the 80 will still the better choice.

Is he right or wrong? (do I insist on the 100?) (and what's up with Trane not makeing a 90?)
thanks,
yitzi

Just installed a 12 seer kelvinator with txv in a 1800 sf ranch with a basement approx same size. I have been very happy with it so far. I am located in canton, OH we will see how it works when the temps really start dropping. It is a dual fuel set up with a 2 stage HE heil furnance controlled by a honeywell visionpro 8321. This is my first HP, had geo thermal in little rock ark. I was not very happy with the geo thermal, believe it was poor installation of the ground loop.

Is a heat pump worth it?...is this accurate?...doesn't it add wear and tear on the condesor and evap coil?...does it really heat so much more efficiently??? what's the heap pump hype/story? etc.

And please give me a small lesson about what the idea behind 2 stage is anyway? is it that the system will stay on longer at a slightly ramped down rate, in order to keep positive heat flow without becoming too hot and cycling off? Putting heating costs aside, (We're from Miami and we want to be warm) will single stage at 100% will give me more heating, or will a 2 stage? ...especially considering that if 2 stage is mostly only going to use stage 1 and only kick on stage 2 sometimes then wouldn't it be better to have it all on at 100% like in single stage??? (or did I already answer this for myself in the first half of this paragraph?).

GLUG GLUG GLUG........

Yes a heatpump is very efficient. The heat is much COOLER to the touch than a gas furnace( about 100 degrees out of your vents), which can take some getting used to.If you're from Miami you shouldn't have to look far to find a heatpump, and if you want it hot when it's freezing go with a gas furnace. BURPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

If everything was always done "by the book"....the book would never change.

He did not do a manual j (no surprise there, of all five, or was it six, contractors who came out, none did more than a few sq ft measurments, i.e. no windows/doors), but he did not rule of thumb it either.

He says in his 25+ years installing hvac in this area (Cleveland) he's installed precious few 100k/btu's (or above). He feels that it is almost always overkill for these houses and that the competition are the ones doing a disservice by oversizing. He even says he's willing to guarentee maintenence of temp, but then what are those type of guarentees worth, can you really fight for it. However, he has a perfect score with the better business beuruo, and zero complaints filed.

To recap:
My current sq ft is 1600-1700, but after all is said and done (with basement finished, attic, screen porch, etc) I should be right about 3000sq ft.

On the chance that 100k/btu might be too much...with a 2 stage and variable speed system, wouldn't the system almost naturally prevent "oversize" issues? or...the 80k???